Confessions of a Special Needs Parent: Please Don’t Praise Your Kid for Playing With Mine, by Ellen Stumbo. A very thoughtful article about the inadvertent message that parents give to their children when they praise them for playing with children with disabilities, and some good alternative suggestions.
GF baking tips and substitutions
Gluten-free Wheat-free baking tips and substitutions, by Karina (glutenfreegoddess). I have been looking for this list for so long!! A description of the properties of different gluten-free flours, how to substitute between gf flours, fat/sugar/dairy/egg/peanut/yeast substitutes, thickening, and how to avoid gumminess in baked products.
Harsh critics in public spaces
Harsh Critics in Public Spaces, Judging Only What They See, by David M Perry. This is such an accurate description of the small but regular microaggressions that parents of SN children regularly face in public spaces. His advice for people who notice a child who appears to be misbehaving- consider that you may be missing some of the story. No one becomes a better parent through the stares of strangers.
Cure your child with food
Cure your child with food, by Kelly Dorfman. Despite the controversy of the “c” word in autism circles, I did find this an interesting read. The book is a series of case files, demonstrating her “nutrition detective” strategies, and examples of how eliminating certain foods or supplementing other nutrients helped with whatever was ailing the child. I have noted a few things to discuss with our doctor and dietitian!
10 rules for being an Autism Mom
Ten rules for being an Autism Mom, by Autism Mom. Love this list, though there are a few that I need to work on some more…
Disability in kids books
Goodreads has a very comprehensive bookshelf called Disability in Kidlit, covering an enormous number of disabilities. I’ve already requested copies of all the books in the autism category that are available through my local library, and will write reviews of those that we enjoy.
What Autism Acceptance is
Karla Fisher writes about her understanding of Autism Acceptance, in response to suggestions that neurodiversity advocates see autism as “rainbows and unicorns”. A really positive, practical article, focusing on accepting her neurological makeup, managing the challenges of her autism and co-morbids, and being the best autistic human being she can be.
(In)Dependent
(In)Dependent, by Cynthia Kim (Musings of an Aspie). A collection of thoughts about dependence, independence, interdependence and acceptance. Interesting and reassuring- particularly to parents who are concerned about their children’s future.
Intense World Theory
The boy whose brain could unlock autism – Henry Markam’s Intense World theory of autism. Henry Markam is a neuroscientist and father of an autistic son. This (long) article outlines his theory that autism’s differences are better described as coping with intense inputs (sensory, emotional etc), rather than cognitive defects.
Autistic exhaustion
Spoons and Splines: the Laws of Thermodynamic Autistic Motion, by Kirsten Lindsmith. A detailed explanation about why autistic people struggle with task organisation – and how exhausting it becomes to regularly “switch programs”. She gives examples of experiences which can drain her energy/capability, plus some suggestions for how to regenerate/recharge. (The author references the Spoons article, which is also linked to from this article).
lovenlearning 